LEGO Series 3 Collectible Minifigure Codes Cracked

Never underestimate the power of AFOLs. 'that guy' over on FBTB has found the system that is being used to identify what's in the Series 3 Collectible Minifigures blind bags. It would appear that instead of a secondary bar code, there are a series of 'bumps' along the bottom of the packs that denote what figure is inside. You can see these on my Flickr favorites, as well as FBTB.net and other sites. The black dots are added to show the location of the dots.

So it does appear there is a system for identifying the figs after all. This also means that the systems may change, but TLG must need a way to ID these figures for inventory purposes.

The system of bumps may only apply for North America, but we won't know until the Europe packs can confirm a similar system. Now that we know the code, it will only be a matter of time until fancy pdf's will be available on the the interwebs.

(Via FBTB.net)

Quick Hits: Redeye Edition

So I'm finally back from my work trip and, man, did a few things happen while I was away. Let's get to it...

LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean becomes even more of a reality as Disney Interactive and Traveler's Tales announced a video game based on the property will be released in May 2011. I would expect more set and minifigure news to appear around Toy Fair season in the coming months. Although financials on LEGO Harry Potter haven't been shared, the video game, LEGO sets, movie combination may be here to stay. Check out FBTB.net for more information. (UPDATE: TLG has also announced 8 sets for the line-up debuting in Spring 2011).

Also on FBTB, there's a contest in conjunction with TLG to submit your most wanted LEGO Star Wars minifigures. Now this isn't a 'who is your favorite' list, this is a 'who would you like to see' kinda thing. FBTB provides the e-mail  and other instructions for how to send your list. A select few, 10 people to be exact, will win White Boba Fetts for their participation. Here's the link for more details.

Thanks to one of our readers, Nathan, we have more details on the Series 3 Collectible Minifigures. Nathan was able to pick up a few of these at a Washington (state) Fred Meyer and provided some additional details for the Samurai, Snowboarder, Gorilla Suit, and Tribal Chief. Check out the comments for each entry in the guide for more details. I'll be updating those entries shortly. Also BrickPOP posted pics of the green Series 3 package. It's official - no secondary bar codes. You can also read Hillel Cooperman's colorful unboxing of his Series 3 minifigures on the site. The box ratios (rare, uncommon, and common) are all there too!

Mr. Will Chapman and fine folks at BrickArms released their WWII German soldier minifigs: Johann, Wilhem, and Fritz. Each fig retails for $20 and comes with a minifig stand, collector card, and great BrickArms accessories. You can check them out on the BrickArms site. Also for this month...winter camo freebies!

Arealight announced recently that starting November 25th, they will have the new sci-fi helmets in three new colors - Tan, Red, and Blue. The scooters shown in the pics? Those can be purchased now from BrickForge.

If you've checked out our customization tutorials page, you will have likely seen the name 'Lamanda2'. Well this female, customizer has several lots of hand painted goblin heads in tan and green for sale. You can check them out and negotiate a deal on her Flickr page.

Apologies for the lack of pics. If you can't find something, just shoot me a message and let me know.

Cygnet

Minister of Information

Ugly Duck Command Center

Minifig Nation

LEGO Star Wars Minifigures: Green Clone Commander

This Green Clone Commander is exclusive to set 7913, Clone Trooper Battle Pack. It is still not known if this is to be a specific Clone Commander from the series, or just a basic one with green highlights.

Minifigure Parts and Accessories

The Green Commander is made up of four parts: a helmet, head, torso, and leg assembly.

The helmet is a Phase I clone trooper helmet with green and yellow highlights. The visor print does not go as far back as previous clone trooper helmets too.

The head is a flesh clone trooper head, common to many other clones before it.

The torso appears to be a standard clone trooper torso, with green and yellow highlights. There is also print on the back of the torso.

The hips are black and the legs are white with print on the legs continuing the green highlights on the legs.

The accessories for this set are varied and come with both long and short blasters. The figures is actually pictured above with a new variant of the DC-17 blaster with a sight added to the top.

Comparing the figures to the reference photo on the right would suggest that LEGO took a different direction with this character. Perhaps this isn't Commander Gree, but just a clone commander with green highlights. Another possibility is that this is a clone trooper from 'Horn Company'.

Army Building Potential

The ABP for this figure is potentially high. The storm and clone troopers always seem to be synonymous with 'armies'.

Big Draw

The big draw will be the figure itself. A clone commander with green highlights has not been available previously, whether this is supposed to be 'Gree' or not.

(Pictures via StarWars.com)

(Back to LEGO Star Wars Minifigure Guide)

US Gets Series 3 First? Say What?!

I don't know how this LEGO centric blog slipped through my net of informants until now, but BrickPOP is reporting they just bought several cases of the Series 3 Collectible Minifigures at a Fred Meyer in Seatlle, WA. Not only that, they got them all for 25% off with a coupon! Don't believe me? Here's a pic of Hillel Cooperman with the goods.

Perhaps LEGO heard the cries of US consumers about getting Series 3 at the same time as the rest of the world. I just can't believe we beat Europe to the punch.

(Via Brickset and BrickPOP)

LEGO Collectible Minifigure Series 3: The Space Alien

The Space Alien is exclusive to set 8803, The Collectible Minifigure Series 3.

Minifigure Parts and Accessories

The Alien is composed of three main parts: head, torso, and legs.

The head is the same as seen on the Space Police III characters P-Squiddy and Squidtron. The head is a lime or neon green with red tongue and black eyes. This is a new color for this element.

The torso is purple with light gray arms and neon green hands. The torso print is a breathing apparatus and belt. There is no print on the back of the torso.

The hips are dark gray and the legs are purple with no visible print.

The accessory that comes with this figure is a gold variant of the zap gun that came with the Series 1 Spaceman. This would be a new color for this part. There's also a 3L trans-purple bar that represents the laser beam.

LEGO.com Bio
“Take me to your traffic light, foolish Earth cupcakes!”

Nobody knows where the Space Alien came from or how it got here. It just showed up one day with a map of the planet and an Alien-to-Human dictionary, but neither one works very well. The map puts Washington D.C. in the middle of France, and the dictionary lists cows as a type of locomotive...which made things kind of complicated that time when the Space Alien tried to take a train to meet the President.

The Space Alien wants to conquer the planet, but it keeps getting sidetracked by interesting tourist attractions, so it hasn’t really gotten around to the whole taking-over-the-world thing yet. It’s also not sure what to do with the Earth once it’s been conquered, but it’s pretty sure that whatever it is, it’ll be totally awesome!

Army Building Potential

The ABP for the figure is moderate. This could add some diversity to you alien armada to go along with your Space Police hoodlums.

Feeling It Out

This will be difficult as there aren't many distinctive parts to feel through the polybag. The head and gun may be the best bets.

Bar Codes

Unlike previous series of collectible minifigures, there will be no secondary bar codes to help determine what figure is inside. However, there are a series of 'bumps' on the bottom of the packages that can be used to identify the contents (LEGO Series 3 Collectible Minifigure Codes). These codes were provided courtesy of FBTB.net and Rick Theroux.

The Big Draw

The head and zap gun are the real draws here. The trans-purple bar may also have some appeal. It's been available in previous sets, but not in the 3L size.

(Back to LEGO Collectible Minifigure Guide)

Gift Cards at BrickForge

This came in just as I was finishing up the news round-up. BrickForge is offering Gift Certificates this holiday season. You can see the designs above (very sophisticated), which are available through the BrickForge store now.

New parts, new colors, t-shirts, and whole mess of brown and dark gray items at clearance prices - you, or your gift card recipient, are bound to find something to like this holiday season.

(Via BrickForge)

Quick Hits: On the Road Again

I've been traveling over the past few days, so posts are a little erratic. True to form, Tuesday had a lot of news to offer...

It sounds like LEGO bricks-and-mortar stores are now getting in the 2011 non-licensed sets. Reported by Toys N Bricks, I don't know if these are full set line ups or just a select few. I know last year it was just a subset of the full line. Either way, give your local LEGO store a call and see what they have in.

It would seem that 'tommy gun' element I noticed on the LEGO Pharaoh's Quest minisite is a reality. Marianne posted pics of set 7307, Flying Mummy Attack, which showed two of them attached to the biplane model. Some great new elements with this set as well, including the mummy wings, Horus-themed headgear, and of course the new figs. If the report above is true, then you might be able to head on down to the LEGO store and pick one up soon. Picture from Marianne's Model Building Secrets Blog.

Bricks Down Under is reporting that Aussie fans can potentially win an entire set of the Series 1 LEGO Collectible Minifigures just by signing up for Mini Brick Toys mailing list. The winner will be announced this Sunday, so hurry on over and sign up.

BrickArms posted this pic showing a pile of custom of Winter and Heer Soldier minifig torsos. Will promises that these will be available 'soon'.

JasBrick posted this wonderful custom Clone Commando yesterday. Jas painted the visor on the Arealight helmet and digitally 'tweaked' it to make it glow. Although the glowing effect was added in, I'm amazed at how he gives you a sense of depth to the visor. It almost looks like the visor has been cut into the piece. The Arealight helmets are popping up all over Flickr these days, showing the popularity of these pieces.

Customizer Julian Fong (AKA levork) is donating a whole series of his DC Super Hero minifigs to the 2010 Creations for Charity. This means you have an opportunity to get one of these great figs and helep out a worthy cause at the same time. At last count, the fundraiser has earned over $5,000 for Toys for Tots. A strong showing for the entire LEGO community and minifig customizers.

That's all for now, Minifig Nation. More news when I can. Also, don't forget to check the Flickr Favorites page periodically. I'm constantly updating this with new finds from Flickr everyday, traveling or not.

Cygnet
Minister of Information
Ugly Duck Command Center
Minifig Nation